Vernon Barnes

US ARMY WWII - Vernon R. Barnes, age 97, went to be with Jesus on December 31, 2023. Born February 24, 1926, in Barnesville, OH to the late Charles and Gladys (nee Niesz) Barnes. Loving husband to the late Harriet Barnes (nee Burroughs). Beloved father to Vernon Jr. (Brenda) Barnes, Teresa (Albert) Short, Sherry (Jim) Luti, William (Sherry) Barnes, Timothy (Kathryn) Barnes, and James (Lisa) Barnes. Brother of the late Virgina Moyer. Cherished Grandpa to numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren. Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Vernon lived his life like his lord Jesus. His hands were used to make things people wouldn't imagine could be made by one man. This came from a life of servitude to his God, his nation, and his family. Vernon joined the army at the tail end of World War 2, deploying to the pacific theater to help prepare for America's takeover of Okinawa. As an Army Pioneer, he was mostly tasked with engineering missions, which after the takeover meant he was a minesweeper. Being face to face with his own mortality everyday only solidified his relationship with Jesus. He would return from Japan and take the role of Husband, Father, and Carpenter. He built a family with his late wife Harriet, including the first home they lived in, which still stands. He maintained telecommunication lines with Western Union International, moving to the role of line technician for Cincinnati Gas and Electric. Both these jobs would help fuel carpentry at home, as he was able to take some the scrap material from work to create things for himself and his family. Every Christmas would have handmade gifts from Vernon of everything from toys to furniture and baby cribs as his children got older. He even made things for himself, such as a Bulldozer, and a Sawmill. If something broke, he fixed it for them, and it wasn't pretty, but it was rigged to last just that little bit longer till he needed to fix it again.

A time for visitation will take place Friday, January 5th, 2023, from 10am until 11am at the Moore Family Funeral Home - 225 Spring St. Batavia, OH 45103. A funeral service will follow. Burial and Military Honors will take place same day starting around 12:30pm at Graceland Memorial Gardens, 5989 Deerfield Rd, Milford, OH 45150.